Free worksheets for writing an autobiography

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If you are in your golden years, your midpoint might be in your 30s or 40s. I hadn’t reached two digits yet in age because I distinctly remember my feet couldn’t touch the floor of the movie house. What is often funny is that we begin to learn how to compose autobiographies at a time in our life where our story barely has a chapter two because we have so much life yet to live.


In order to tell your story, you will need to be well planned.

It asks students to recount a specific life experience and analyze how it shaped their worldview. We have no control over where the earliest years of our lives unfold; only when we reach adulthood can we choose where we want to live. Whether you want to share a personal experience that has shaped who you are, describe a significant event from your childhood, or simply give readers a glimpse into your life, it is essential to include enough detail to paint a complete picture.

However, you also want to leave some room for interpretation.


  • Looking back over your life, what is the greatest lesson you learned?
    • Don’t forget your audience, especially at the beginning of your book. But before you begin filling in the sections, you want to come up with a theme for your book. Selecting the parts that fit under the umbrella of a theme will make the book easier to follow. 

      When coming up with a theme, think about what you want the key takeaway to be for the reader.

      It differs from a memoir, which usually focuses on a single event or group of events that lead you to a discovery about yourself, your life, or some other revelation. An autobiography is a look at the total sum of your life from birth (early childhood) to the time of your book’s writing that highlights the key points that shaped who you’ve become.

      Ready to start writing your autobiography?

      In this way, an autobiographical incident essay can be both personally enlightening and helpful to others.

      Provide Readers with Some Food for Thought

      A well-written autobiographical incident essay will leave readers with something to think about long after they finish reading. It strengthens planning habits and structure awareness.

      But writing an autobiographical incident essay can be tricky – here are some tips to help you get started.

      Brainstorm Important Events of Your Life

      When writing an autobiographical incident essay, it is crucial to focus on a single event that had a significant impact on your life.

    • Where does your book’s theme first show up when you look back over your life?

      free worksheets for writing an autobiography

      It supports visual planning.

      Five Squares
      Students use a grid or “five squares” organizer, likely dividing the story into key parts or descriptive chunks. This activity helps them zoom in on what really matters when telling their story. Students get practice in both the “nuts and bolts” of essay structure and the creative side of crafting vivid, meaningful narratives.

      Instead, let your essay be a true reflection of who you are as a person.

      When done correctly, an autobiographical incident essay can be a powerful and moving expression of your life story.

      Reflect on What You Have Learned from The Experience

      When writing an autobiographical Incident Essay, try to reflect on your experiences.

      It’s like listing your top contenders before picking the winner.